Kuvempu’s messages to society recalled on his birth anniversary

Celebrating Kuvempu's 119th birth anniversary, dignitaries pay tribute to his message of "universal man" & fight against casteism & superstition.

Glowing tributes were paid to poet laureate Kuvempu on the occasion of his 119 birth anniversary in Mysuru on Friday with dignitaries recalling his message to the society.

Participating in the ‘Vishwa Manava Day’ organised by Mysuru district administration and Department of Kannada and Culture at Kalamandira in the city, former Minister and JD(S) MLA representing Chamundeshwari assembly constituency said Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa or Kuvempu opposed casteism and meaningless rituals.

With his message of “universal man”, Kuvempu was an icon of peace, harmony and wellbeing in the society.

His inspirational literary work in Ramayana Darshanam had earned him the Jnanpith award. Kuvempu has inspired generations of Kannadigas with his literary genius.

Retired professor H.L. Mallesh Gowda, who also spoke on the occasion, recalled noted writer Da Ra Bendre’s description of Kuvempu as “poet of the era” and emphasised the need for the present generation to read Kuvempu’s works so that enough awareness is created about his message of “universal man”.

Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa, who is also the Minister in charge of Mysuru district, in a message on the occasion of Kuvempu’s birth anniversary, said Kuvempu had inspired an entire generation through his rationality and scientific temper.

The poet laureate wished that lower classes gain literacy and oppose superstitious beliefs.